Electrical hair-treating implement



March 20, 1928.

s. HARPER ELECTRICAL HAIR TREATING IMPLEMENT Filed Oct. 25, 1924' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR SOLO/70M f/flRPER ATT RNEYS 1,663,078 S. HARPER ELECTRICAL HAIR TREATING IMPLEMENT Filed Oct. 25. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mar ch 20, 1928.

NN mh 5% Ev u @N Patented Mar. '20, 1928.

sonomon mun, or new YORK,

mews

N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO CLIFFORD L. OI m YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRICAL HAIR-TREATING IMPLEMENT:

Application filed October 25, 1924. Serial l 'o. 748,880.

' My invention relates generically to devices for'use in treating hair, the invention having more particular and specific reference to an improvement in an automatically controlled, electrically heated, comb for dress-- ing, drying, and straightening hair.

. The invention has for a general object to provide an improved device of this sortcharacterized by mechanical simplicity, efiiciency and ease of operatiomand in which also danger of burning or injuring of the hair or skin of the user is obviated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of this sort in which the electric current to the heater is automatically cut off in the, case of overheating of the device, another object relating to the provision of an ,auxiliary or supplementary cut oft device that will act automatically to cut ofi the current and pro vide an absolute safeguard against the heat rising to a dangerous point.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and readily adjusted means whereby the current cutting device may be caused to operate at different selected temperatures as may be desired.

A further object is to provide for adj ustable mounting of the comb on the main backing element, to vary the angle ofprojection o-f the comb teeth with respect to the said main backing element in which the heater is positioned.

'A' further object of the invention is to provide a device of this sort in which a relativeing or pressure element that is drawn over the hair, and a relatively low temperature is developed in the teeth that are drawn through the hair.

A further object is to provide a heating and controlunit that may be readily removed from the frame portion of the device. Still another object ofmy invention is to provide-a device of this sort that is devoid of projecting shoulders or angularities that might have a tendency to catch the hair of the user while the device is being drawn I through or over the hair.

A further object of the invention is to provide va device having metal teeth that can be readily attacked with a file by indily high temperature is developed in a backvidual users to vary the size of the interstices between the teeth.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device in which a moderate degree of heat may be applied to. the comb teeth so that the hair may be conveniently dried by drawing the comb therethrough.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side view of my mproved hair treating implement.

F1gure2 is an end view thereof, showing the teeth'of the comb projected in one direction from the main backing element of'the device.

Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2, but showing the comb diiferently arranged, with its teeth projecting in a different direction with respect to the main backing element.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal elevational view showing the manual control element and dial of the adjustable device for varying the temperature at which the thermostatic current control operates.

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view of the device.

Fi re 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken in the line 7-7 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a detail face view of the safety fuse element.

Fi re 9 is a fragmentary sectional view Isohowing the mounting of the switch memers.

Figure 10 is a similar view to Figure 5, but showing a slightly modified construction.

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 10.

Referring now to the drawings, my improved devlce comprises a main metal member 10 that has the combined functions of a backing for the comb, and a casingfor the electric heating unit; and which might, enerally speaking, be termed the comb s ell. This casing member is in the form of an elongated'cylinder, which however presents atransversely flat and longitudinally rectilinear surface that forms an abutment against which the adjustable comb bears. This casing 10 is formed at one end with a diminished, cxteriorly screw threaded tip 11 over which is engaged the flange 12 of a cap 12 that closes the said end of the cyl nder. This cap 12 is formed on one side with a laterally projecting lug or car 13 in which is fixed a pintle or stud 14 that serves to support the comb at one end of the latter. At its other end the casing is formed with an integral projecting lug or car 15 that acts complementary to the lug 13 in supporting the comb, this lug 15 being formed with a screw threaded aperture through which is passed a screw 16 engaging in a socket in the end of the comb, the pintle lat above mentioned projecting into a like socket in the first named end of the comb.

The comb is shown generally at 20 and its rear edge is shaped to present a fiat surface 20 complementary to the surface 10 and bearing against the latter, in flat contact therewith, when the comb is in one of its selected positions. The comb 20 is slightly shorter in len th than the space between the lugs 13 and 10 so as to leave a space between the end of the comb and the lug 15 whose purpose is to permit of ready adjustment or removal of the comb. This space between the comb end and the lug 15 is slightly greater than the distance the pintle 14 projects into the end of'the comb, so that by moving the comb longitudinally toward the lug 15 after the screw 16 has been drawn backward the comb may be disengaged from the said pintle. A washer having its edge beveled obliquely as at 22 to preserve a smoothoutline in the exterior parts of the device, is preferably inserted between the end of the comb and the lug 15. In the operation of the comb in adjusting it to various positions, the space between the comb end and the lug 15, is (as previously stated) slightly greater than the distance the pintle 1 t projects into the end of the comb. Moving the comb away from the pintle let therefor after the screw 16 has been drawn backwards permits the comb to move out of contact with the pintle ll, and allows it to be dropped down so as to permit the comb in turning to clear the surface 10. After turning to the desired position, the comb may again be placed in engagement with the pintle M and screw 16.

It is obvious that this operation will permit adjustment of the comb and comb teeth 20 to various angular positions. The washer 22 may or may not be removed during adjustment of the comb, according to the closeness of the lit between it and the abutting surfaces of the parts 15 and 20.

are longitudinally curved 'as shown, the curvature on the concaved advancing side of the comb being greater than on the following side as clearly shown. to the flat surface 20 that abuts against the surface 10 when the comb is in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the longitudinal rib of the comb presents a second surface 20" that is substantially vertical with respect to the surface 20' and spaced equidistant with the latter from the median line of the members 1+ and 16, so that the comb may be positioned atditferent angular relations with respect to the casing 10, with either of the said surfaces abutting against the surface 10 on the casing.

Within the casing I position the electrical heating unit which comprises a. helically wound coil 25 of slighting less length than the casing; and a thermostatic switch for controlling the current to the coil, this coil being of high electrical resistance. Closely surrounding this coil 25 is a cylindrical shell 26 of electrically insulating material, while this shell is in turn surrounded closely by another shell that is in the form of two semi-cylindrical halves, the plane of division between these two halves being in parallelism with the surface 10. The shell section 27 that is adjacent the said surface 10 is of a heat insulating material such as asbestos, and forms a shield preventing overheating of the comb. while the other shell section 28 is of ordinary electrical insulation such as fibre. or other like material. The purpose of the arrangement just described is to insulate the comb in some degree from the heater, the bulk of whose heat is designed to be projected upon the portion of the casing remote from the comb. At one end the coil 25 is in close adjacence to the cap 12 closing the end of the casing 10, while an insulating disk 30 is positioned between the coil and the said cap. The current carrying Wire 25 from this end of the coil passes longitudinally through the casing 10, between the shells 26 and 28 one of which is suitably longitudinally grooved to accommodate this wire, the wire passing along the casing on the side remote from the comb and being of the same high resistance material and dimension as the coil itself, so as to assist in heating the back of the casing where the greatest heat is to be developed. The manner in w 'ilCll this wire 25, and the other end of the coil likewise. connect to the main lead wires will be fully set forth later.

Extending longitudinally through the casing, in the axial line thereof, is a metal rod which forms one of the elements of the thermostatic current control device. This rod is preferably screwed at one end into the cap 12 as at 35 While its other end is supported for unimpeded longitudinal movement as will be presently set forth. A

In addition suitable filler material such as asbestos cement, or asbestos tubin or other insulating element or compoun is placed between the turns of the coil 25 and the rod 35. This tillermaterial rforms the functions of affecting a uni orm temperature from the heating coil, increasing the weight of the comb, and embedding the coil against shocks that might otherwise break. it. Screwed into the Opposite end of the casing 10 to that closed by the cap 12 is a nipple 36 which may be of ap roximately one-quarter the length of the casing slightly overlapping the handle end of the comb and whose inner end is adjacent the heating coil 25 in the said casing. The threads of this nipple are gradually flattened toward the end of the nipple as shown to accommodate expansion undenheat, changin' the contour of the nipple from the usua cylindrical one to a frusto-conical one. This nipple is provided on its inner end with a radially inturned 'fiange 37 that encloses a central aperture into which is screwed an apertured plug 38, the rod before-mentioned passing freely through the aperture in the said plug. The nipple '36 is formed on the end of a cylindrical member 37 that forms, in effect, an extension of the casing 10 and is of equal exterior diameter with the latter. This member 37 has the end thereof opposite the nipple 36 exteriorly screw threaded as at 39 for securing it to a. handle 39 of hard wood or the like, the handle having a socket in its end into which said member is screwed.

At the point where the rod 35 emerges from the lug 38 into the chamber in the nipple 36 1t is bifurcated as shown to form two prongs or legs 40 and 41 that diverge from one another at a comparatively small oblique angle. At their ends these prongs extend beyond the confines of the nipple into a widened chamber 42 in the member 37, the end portions of the prongs preferably extending parallel, or substantially parallel, to one another, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. These prongs or legs 40 and 41 are designed to act in co-operation with other elements of a material having a less coefficient of expansion under heat, whereby lateral movement of the prongs with relation, one to the other may be effected under variation of heat applied thereto or reaching said prongsfrom the heat- ,ing coil by transmission along the rod 35,

said prongs opening away from one another in proportion to the heat developed in the rod 35, the casing 10 and the parts adjacent to and surround the prongs. These.

other elements with which the prongs coo'perate-are'in the form of straps 43 and 44 that are projected inte rallyfrom the plug 38 along the remote aces of the prongs,

the straps having their ends flush with the ends of the prongs, the said prongs and straps being riveted together adjacent the said ends by means of the rivets 45,

One of these prongs is arranged for setting in certain predetermined or selected positions whereby the thermostatic control device may be adjusted to cut 03 the current to the heating coil at certain predetermined .tem eratures,that may be selectively varied at tie will of the user of the device. For

the accomplishing of this function a stud of suitable heat-refractory material is screwed into the end of the prong 41, transversely of the latter, and is formed with a flat head 51 against which bears an -abutment tip 52 on a screw 53 that is threaded.

into a suitable tapered aperture in the wall of'the member 42 in the member 37. The outer end face of this screw is formed to present a pointed indicator which may be constituted by an indentation 54.- sunk in the said face, the periphery of the member being formed to present an annular flat face 55 surrounding this screw on which are a series of marks bearing different numerical indications representing different temperatures at which the thermostatic control may be set to operate when the screw is adjusted to bring the indicator into registry with seranging anywhere from one hundred to two hundred and sixty degrees Fahrenheit, according to the desire of the user.

The switch contacts of the thermostatic control device comprise the pins and 61 fixed to the contiguous faces of the prongs l0 and 41 adjacent the end of the'samc, these pins being alined with one another and projecting into the space between the prongs. The pins are suitably insulated from the prongs by'means of the insulating bushings 62 in which said pins are set. These pins have fixed on their adjacent ends the enlarged block-like carbon heads 63 and 64, respectively, that normally overlap one another and have theircontiguous faces beveled as shown to present obliquely inclined contact surfaces, The pins 60 and 61 are preferably so constructed as to permit of ready replacing of the heads 63 and 64' and to'insure that the head 64 alone will break if such tendency develops. It will be understood. of course, that the interior diameter of-the nipple 36 is sufiicient to allow the prongs 40 and 41 to move away. from one another the distance necessary to discn til) gage the beveled contact faces of the heads (53 and 64 from each other.

The thermostatic control device that has just been described acts under normal conditions to prevent overheating of the implement. ln addition to the thermostatic control device I preferably provide also a supplementary or auxiliary safety cut-out element that will function automatically to cut off the electric current from the heating coil 25, so as to j'u'ovide an absolute safeguard against the heat rising to a point where danger to the hair or scalp of the user might be anticipated. This supplementary or auxiliary cut-out element. comprises a thrust. rod of a metal having a. high heat conductivity, this rod extending freely through a longitudinal boring in the annular wall of the nipple 36 and having one end adjacent to the end of the heating coil and its other end in free engagen'ient with one of the legs 71 projected from a short plug 72 screwed into the wall of the member 37 in diamctric juxtaposition to the screw Extending between the said legs 71 projected from the plug 72 is a wire73 that forms a thermal fuse, and that also constitutes part of the circuit to the heating coil, which wire fuses or melts when the temperature exceeds the permitted maximum. It will be understood that the parts 53 and 72 are sunk within the periphery of the member 37 to obviate possibility of the hair of the user becoming entangled therein.

In arranging the electrical connections to the heating coil the end of the high resistance wire 25 connects adjacent what might be termedthe near end of the coil 25, with a low resistance wire 75 that may be carried longitudinally through the same aper-= ture or boring as the rod 70, or through a different boring, the other end of this wire 75 being electrically connected to one of the 'legs 71 of the plug 72. The said near end of the coil 25 has connected thereto another suitably insulated low resistance wire 76 that connects as indicated with the pin (30. From the other leg of the plug 72, and from thepin 61, respectively, other wires 77 and 7 8 lead' through apertures in a disk 79 of insulating material forming a transverse partition near the end of the member 37 and are connected to binding screws 80 threaded into the said disk. These screws 80 have also connected thereto the two leads 81 from a duplex cord 82 of usual construction comprising two insulated wires in a flexible sheathing which may have a suitable plug on its other end to engage with an electric lamp socket, or any other socket it may be desired to connect the device to.

The form of the device shown in Figures 10 and 11 differs only from that above clescribed in substituting for the straps 43, 44, to perform the same function, a pin 83 that is fixed at its ends in the wall of the nipple 37 and projects between the legs of the rod 35 to act to cam or wedge the latter away from one another when the rod expands under heat.

What is claimed is: v

1. An implement of the class described comprising an elongated casing, lugs projected late 'ally from opposite ends of said casing, a comb extending along the casing between the said lugs, and means connecting the said comb to the said lugs to permit of setting of the comb in angularly adjusted positions.

2. Animplemcnt of the class described comprising an elongated casin lugs'projected laterally from opposite ends of said casing, a comb extending along the casing between the said lugs, and means connecting the said comb to the said lugs to permit of setting of the comb in angularly adjusted positions, said. means comprising a stud fixed to one lug and a screw threaded into the other lug, said stud and screw engaging in sockets formed in opposite ends of the comb.

3. An implement of the class described comprising an elongated casing, lugs pro jected laterally from opposite ends of said casing, a comb extending along the casing between the said lugs, and means connecting the said comb to the said lugs to permit of setting of the comb in angularlyadjusted positions, said means comprising a stud tixed to one lug and a screw threaded into the other lug, said stud and screw engaging in sockets formed in opposite ends of the comb, the said comb being of slightly shorter length than the distance between the said lugs to permit'of disengagement of the comb by threading the said screw backward.

4. An implement of the class described comprising an elongated casing, lugs projected laterally from opposite ends of said casing, a comb extending along the casing between the said lugs, means connecting the said comb to the said lugs to permit of setting of the comb in angular-1y adj usted positions, said means comprising a stud fixed to one lug and a screw threaded into the other lug, said stud and screw engaging in sockets formed in opposite ends of the comb, the said comb being of slightly shorter length than the distance between the said lugs to permit of disengagement of the comb by threading the said screw backward, and a spacer washer surrounding the said screw between the end of the comb and the adjacent lug.

5. An in'iplement. of the class described comprising an elongated easing, lugs projected laterally from opposite ends of said casing, a comb extending along the casing between the said lugs, and means connecting the said comb to the said lugs to permit of setting of the comb inangularly adjusted positions, said comb having its teeth longitudinally concaved.

6. An implement of the class described, 5 comprising an elongated casing, lugs projecting laterally from opposite ends of said casing, a comb extending along the casing between said lugs, said comb being of slightly shorter length than the distance between of said lugs to permit of setting the comb in an ularly adjusted positions.

11 testimony whereof I have afiixed my 15 signature.

- SOLOMON HARPER. 

